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Neal History Etymology Coat of Arms Creation Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Sources

Neal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Neal

What does the name Neal mean?

Irish names tend to vary widely in their spelling and overall form. The original Gaelic form of the name Neal is Ó Néill, which means descendant of Niall, a personal name of Irish origin, thought to mean "champion." 1

"Of the very great antiquity of this distinguished name and family there can be no doubt." 2

Neal Coat of Arms Creation

Two brothers of the race of Colla Uais saw the Isle of Islay from their native Ireland, and both, at the same time, resolved to possess it. Each got his birlinn ready with its full comple-ment of men, and the race began. When within a short distance of landing, one galley was a length ahead ; whereupon the brother in the galley behind, seeing that the race was about to be won by the other, placed his left hand on the gunwale and, with his own sword, cut it off and threw it ashore, saying as he did so, " Tha m' fhuil agus m' fheoil air tir romhad" ("My flesh and my blood are ashore ahead of you "). 3

Early Origins of the Neal family

The surname Neal was first found in County Tyrone (Irish: Tír Eoghain), the ancient territory of the O'Neills, now in the Province of Ulster, central Northern Ireland, and County Clare where O'Neill was chief of Clan Dalvy and of Tradree, a district in the barony of Inchiquinn. In the 10th century, a branch of this family went to Limerick to assist in the expulsion of the Danes.

After one victorious occasion they wore green boughs in their helmets and on their horses' heads signifying their victory.

Early History of the Neal family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Neal research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1480, 1530, 1550, 1559, 1567, 1612, 1616, 1664, 1689 and 1694 are included under the topic Early Neal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Neal Spelling Variations

Names from the Middle Ages demonstrate many spelling variations. This is because the recording scribe or church official often decided as to how a person's name was spelt and in what language. Research into the name Neal revealed many variations, including O'Neill, Neal, Neale, Neales, Neil, Nihill, Niell, O'Nail, O'Neil, O'Niel and many more.

Early Notables of the Neal family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was Sir Niall O'Neill who distinguished himself at the Battle of the Boyne; Conn O'Neill, 1st Earl of Tyrone (c.1480-1559) King of Tir Eogain; Shane O'Neill (c.1530-1567), Irish king of the O'Neill dynasty of Ulster; Hugh O'Neill (c. 1550-1616), Earl of Tyrone, also known as the Great Earl...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Neal Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Neal World Ranking

In the United States, the name Neal is the 271^st most popular surname with an estimated 96,993 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name Neal is ranked the 760^th most popular surname with an estimated 5,128 people with that name. 5 And in New Zealand, the name Neal is the 443^rd popular surname with an estimated 1,535 people with that name. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Neal as 568^th with 11,434 people. 7

Neal migration to the United States +

Thousands of Irish families left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name Neal:

Neal Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Elizabeth Neal, who arrived in America in 1620 8
Francis Neal, who settled in Maine in 1630
Peter and Walter Neal, who settled in New Hampshire in 1631
Walter Neal, who arrived in New England in 1631 8
Henry Neal, who arrived in Braintree, Massachusetts in 1642 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Neal Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Nicolas Neal, who landed in Virginia in 1703 8
Cha Neal, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 8
Mary Neal, who arrived in New England in 1734 8
Edward Neal, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 8
John Neal, aged 28, who arrived in New Jersey in 1775 8

Neal Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Arthur Neal, aged 23, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 8
Frank Neal, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1811 8
Roger Neal, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 8
Barnard Neal, aged 23, who arrived in New York in 1812 8
Joseph Neal, aged 45, who landed in South Carolina in 1812 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Neal Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Edwin C. Neal, (b. 1866), aged 34, Cornish stonecutter, from Penryn, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Lucania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 18th August 1900 en route to Barre City, Vermont, USA 9
Mr. William T. Neal, (b. 1884), aged 20, American miner returning from Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 24th April 1904 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 9

Neal migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Neal Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

James Neal, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
Wilm Neal, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Charles Neal, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
Francis Neal, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
Fras Neal, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Neal Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Neal, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1802
Michael James Neal, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1805
Jane Neal, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1818
Richard Neal, who arrived in Canada in 1832
Catherine Neal, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1833
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Neal migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Neal Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Daniel Neal, (O'Neal, Neile, Neale, Neil), (b. 1783), aged 31, Irish blacksmith who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Canada" on 5th December 1814, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1862 10
Mr. John Neal, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. Richard Neal, British Convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
Mr. Patrick Neal, (Neil), (b. 1796), aged 24, Irish labourer who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for house robbery, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Patrick Neal, (b. 1793), aged 27, Irish labourer who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Neal migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Neal Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Amelia Neal, aged 25, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
William Neal, aged 9, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
George Neal, aged 6, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
Charles Neal, aged 4, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
Ellen Neal, aged 2, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Neal (post 1700) +

Bill Neal (1931-2024), American college football player and head football coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania from 1970 to 1978
John Neal (1793-1876), American writer, critic, editor, lecturer, and activist, author of Rachel Dyer: A North American Story, the first bound novel about the Salem witch trials in 1825
Idotha "Bootsie" Neal (1953-1954), American politician and developer in Dayton, Ohio, USA, member of the Democratic Party
William Elmer Neal (1875-1959), American Republican politician, Chair of Cabell County Republican Party, 1917; Mayor of Huntington, West Virginia, 1925-28 14
Joseph H. Neal (1950-2017), American politician, Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives (1993-2017)
James Foster Neal (1929-2010), American trial lawyer who prosecuted labor leader Jimmy Hoffa and top officials of the Nixon Administration in the Watergate scandal
Jacqueline "Jackie" Neal (1967-2005), American blues singer who was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend
Gary Neal (b. 1984), American professional basketball player
Charles Lenard "Charlie" Neal (1931-1996), American Major League Baseball second baseman who played from 1956 to 1963
James Ellerbe "Daddy" and "Jim" Neal (1930-2011), American NBA basketball player
... (Another 102 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Neal family +

HMS Hood

Mr. Ronald W Neal (b. 1918), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Basford, Nottinghamshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 15
Mr. Edward R Neal (b. 1915), English Supply Assistant serving for the Royal Navy from Swindon, Wiltshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 15

RMS Titanic

Mr. Henry Neal, aged 25, English Baker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking by escaping in life boat 13 16

USS Arizona

Mr. Tom Dick Neal, American Seaman First Class from Texas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 17

USS Indianapolis

Charles Keith Neal, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 18
George M. Neal, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 18
William Frank Neal, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 18

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dorothy
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 3) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew